Monthly spending. We rank on rewards minus the full annual fee, so statement credits and perks are listed separately and never counted for you.
Choosing between the Discover it Cash Back (no annual fee) and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card ($149/yr) comes down to where you spend most. Both cards can deliver real value. Let’s break it down, then run your numbers to find the winner.
5% on rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500/quarter), 1% on everything else. Cashback Match doubles all cash back in first year.
Perfect if: You want solid rewards without paying an annual fee.
Apply Now3x on Southwest purchases, 2x on groceries and restaurants up to $8,000/year.
Perfect if: You want a strong rewards rate with no spending caps to worry about.
Apply Now| Feature | Discover it Cash Back | Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $0 | $149 |
| Sign-Up Bonus | None | 55,000 points after $1,500 spend in 3 months |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 0% | 0% |
| Base Reward Rate | 1% | 1% |
| Rates with conditions not counted in the rows above |
None |
3% on Southwest Earns 3% only on Southwest purchases. Flights on other airlines, hotels and car rentals earn 1%. |
| Key Benefits | 5% on rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500/quarter), 1% on everything else. Cashback Match doubles all cash back in first year. | 3x on Southwest purchases, 2x on groceries and restaurants up to $8,000/year. |
These cards are closely matched across categories, so the winner comes down to your specific spending mix.
The $149/year fee difference means Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Card needs to earn about that much more in rewards to justify its cost.
Not sure which fits your life? Enter your spending below and we’ll do the math. The calculator ranks purely on rewards minus the full annual fee, so credits and perks are yours to judge.